Chapter 10:

I can't seem to believe this situation I've wound up in. It must be the work of the Harvest Goddess. Teasing me like this… it's just like her.

But this scenario, it's just too perfect. And yet too terrifying. It seems like the perfect opportunity to apologize, like I wanted, but the thought of actually doing it scares me. What if he's really mad at me for how I've been acting? I wouldn't blame him… I would be pissed off if he suddenly started avoiding me for seemingly no reason, too.

I took a deep breath, calming my thoughts and my racing heart. Spinning around to face the entrance, I sat down on the wooden floor, which was built up like a step so the entryway was up off the floor. With my elbows on my knees, I rested my chin in my hands, watching as Gray soon followed suit.

We sat there in silence. Goddess, I hate this. My heart was racing and pounding, and I was sure Gray could probably hear it. Aaah… how embarrassing. In this incredibly small place he was probably less than a foot away from me, and I was just so aware of him that every little thing he did sent shivers through me. Is it the cold, anxiety, or excitement? I haven't decided yet.

"So…." I said, attempting to end this awkward silence before my thoughts tried to take me down a more embarrassing route.

"So…." he replied flatly, and I felt certain that he was upset with me. My heart sank and I became nervous, absent-mindedly fiddling with my hands.

Goddess what do I do? My mind was blank, but I hate feeling like this.

"I…." it'll be alright, I told myself. "I'm… well…."

He looked at me, waiting for me to spit out whatever it was I was trying to say. I felt my face grow hot and I looked down at my hands.

"I'm sorry," I said quietly, somewhere between a whisper and talking normally. I looked back at him. "I've been acting weird lately. I'm sorry."

He stared at me for a few moments, and I wished so much that the Harvest Goddess had included the ability to read minds with this "help package" she had given to me. Or at least make it easier to tell what he's thinking from his expression… too bad he's always had a good poker face. But this was just too much for me, I felt my face grow hot again and I quickly looked down at the ground in front of me.

"No…" he finally said after what felt like an eternity. I snapped my glance back up to him. No, what? No, you won't forgive me? Goddess, please don't let that be it.

"No, don't apologize," he continued, pulling his hat down over his face. "Just…. Just don't do it again. You had me worried, you know?" He took a deep breath, "I thought you were mad at me or something…" he said, just above a whisper.

"What? No!" I exclaimed, "You didn't do anything wrong! It's my own fault!" My face grew ten times darker red than it already was and I quickly turned away as the events of that stupid curse suddenly replayed in my mind, yet again. Really? Why now? This is the worst possible time to be thinking of that!

Another awkward silence fell over us yet again. I had no idea what to say right now without looking an idiot, and I was probably just confusing the hell out of Gray by acting like this. But there's no way I could tell him why. Ever.

Gray cleared his throat, and I almost turned back around, but I knew my face was still fifty shades of red.

"So are you some kind of storm psychic alien or something?"

Okay, what is he saying now? I turned back to face him again, my previous shame instantly replaced by utter confusion. Where the hell did he get an idea like that? Why would he even…? What is he even talking about? So many questions popped into my mind, where do I even begin with this?

"What?"

His face turned a light shade of pink. How cute, was he embarrassed? "Are you…. I don't know… Able to communicate with storms or something?"

"You're kidding, right?"

"No! I mean yes! I mean-!" he stopped and smacked his forehead with his palm, grumbling something I couldn't hear. Removing his hand from his face, he slowly continued, picking his words more carefully this time. "It's like… you knew exactly how the storm was going to change before it happened, and you're out in this weather like it's no big deal. And when you were standing by the pond earlier you just seemed so… at peace…er…. I-I guess or something." He added the last part quickly.

What? Something like that made him think I'm some kind of alien? I couldn't help but laugh aloud. I glanced over at him and he shot me an irritated look, his face red with embarrassment.

"Just call me the Storm God!" I said, laughing openly.

"Oh, come on, Claire! You know what I meant."

I stifled another laugh. "When a huge part of your life revolves around the environment and the weather, you just kind of learn to read these things and you start to recognize patterns," I explained, thinking of what I might be like as a goddess. Maybe like the Harvest Goddess? Nah.

"Oh…" he said, thinking about it. "Gaah…. Duh…" he smacked his palm to his forehead again. "… Now I just feel stupid…"

I let out a laugh again. So he has those kinds of moments too, huh? "Haven't you ever needed to pay attention to the weath- a- ACHOO!"

I crossed my arms, rubbing my hands over my drenched sleeves, smiling despite myself. "Er… Excuse me for that…"

But Gray just looked at me for some reason. I felt my face start to get warmer and almost turned away, but then he proceeded to inspect himself as well.

"Hm…"

"What is it?"

"We need to get out of these wet clothes."

Huh?